Autoimmune Hepatitis – Autoimmune Hepatitis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the liver and causes inflammation for a unusually unknown reason.
Autoimmune Hepatitis Symptoms
Environmental and genetic factor could contribute to the onset of the disease but the exact cause is unclear. The attack on the liver, if left untreated, can cause scarring to the liver. This makes it unable to work properly. Medications such as steroids and immunosuppressive medications can help resolve this issue and in some cases a liver transplant may be necessary.
+ Abdominal Discomfort
+ Nausea
+ Jaundice(yellowing of skin or eyes)
+ Fatigue
+ Fluid build up in abdomen
Autoimmune Hepatitis Diagnosis
SPECIALISTS
+ Primary Care Provider
+ Gastroenterologist
+ Hepatologist
+ Transplant Surgeon
BLOOD TESTS
+ AST-every 1-3 months
+ ALT-every 1-3 months
+ GGT-every 1-3 months
+ T. Bilirubin- every 1-3 months
MEDICATIONS
+ Steroids
+ Immunosuppressive Medications
+ Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc Supplement
Autoimmune Hepatitis Treatment
I had a liver transplant but had a really hard time getting my liver function tests to come down into a normal range. They stayed in the 150-300 range for a good 10-15 years and fibrosis was beginning to reform on my new liver before I was introduced to a medication called ursodiol/ actigall. It is typically used to treat gallstones but it managed to bring me down to normal range for the first time in my life. As of right now the mechanism by which it acts in this disease is unclear but my doctor, who was the head of liver transplant at John’s Hopkins, said they’ve had tremendous success with this treatment.
